The 20 Best EDC Pens

Ask any person to empty their pockets and you’ll likely find a slim wallet, an EDC Knife, and, most recently, some type of smartphone. Despite the rise of technology — most notably smartphones — an EDC pen still remains one of the most versatile staples in an EDC kit.

Not only is taking notes by hand still faster than opening your phone, finding the proper app, and typing away on a virtual keyboard that is much too small for your fingers, an EDC pen is also much more reliable and will allow you to write down phone numbers, ideas, lists, and notes long after your smartphone’s battery has bitten the dust. An everyday carry pen — if taken well care of — will also outlast any smartphone on the market today, will never become outdated, and will never stop working if not eventually connected to a power source.

The best EDC pen, by design, can also serve as your last line of defense should your attacker find you unarmed and unprepared. For those looking to include this field-tested staple in their current everyday carry ensemble, we’ve curated this list of the best EDC pens, in no particular order.

Grafton EDC Pen

The main goal when designing the Grafton EDC Pen was to improve upon the flaws that already exist with current selection of EDC pens. To accomplish this task, the pen was first crafted from 100% anodized aluminum instead of plastic, and then outfitted with a heavy duty bolt-on brass clip, a better-functioning clicking mechanism, and an improved grip. It’s built to last a lifetime, and, thanks to some included hardware, is compatible with both Pilot G2 and Fisher Space Pen refills so you’ll never be short on ink. – $35

PicoPen

Made from durable stainless steel, the PicoPen attaches seamlessly to your keychain or backpack via the integrated key ring, while the pen’s cap securely snaps in place by a magnet. To take the guesswork out of refilling it’s ink supply, each PicoPen is compatible with Zebra F Pen ink refills and weighs a mere half of an ounce — which is just light enough to forget you’re carrying it until you need it. – $19

Machine Era Brass Pen

This Pilot G2 cartridge compatible, solid brass EDC pen by Machine Era Co. is exceptionally balanced despite it’s heavy weight. The absence of moving parts or plastic inserts make it a reliable everyday carry pen, save for the threaded cap, which can be screwed onto the back side of the body while writing. – Buy Now

Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen

Gerber’s Impromptu Tactical Pen is crafted from machined steel and features a tempered steel tip that not only shatters windows with ease, but can also be used as a self defense weapon when the need arises. A simple, reliable push button mechanism reveals an ink cartridge that can effectively write in all positions and in wet or dry weather. – Buy Now

CRKT Williams Pen

Some EDC pens are just for jotting down notes and ideas, while others, like the Williams Pen from CRKT, was designed as also an unlikely self defense tool. The Williams Tactical Pen was designed by former Army officer and martial arts instructor James Williams and boasts a clean and minimal design. Its a trauma-inducing chunk of anodized aluminum that can help in fending off an attacker and making an escape. The best part about this pen is that it’s design is far from aggressive, and appears to be nothing more than a normal everyday carry pen. The key to good self-defense is being prepared without announcing to the world that you are, and the Williams Tactical Pen does just that. – Buy It

Fisher M4B Space Pen

For only about $15, you could get a pen that writes upside down, through grease stains, and much longer than any other EDC pen. With the Fisher M4B Space Pen, that’s exactly the sort of versatile everyday carry pen you’re getting — and it’s quite a lot for its slim profile and clean design. The M4B allows you to write four times longer than the average pen — if you’re a guy who needs to take notes during meetings or sketch designs or projects on a daily basis, you’ll certainly get a lot of use out of a durable pen like this. And its clean design and sleek black colorway are underrated design touches that ensure it should have a home at your desk — at home, at the office, or both. For under 20 bucks there’s probably not a better pen on the market – Buy Now

Rite In The Rain All Weather Trekker Pen

No force of nature can stop Rite In the Rain’s All Weather Trekker Pen from jotting down your field notes, ideas, or stories. This tough EDC pen writes upside down, in the rain, in scorching temperatures up to 250 degrees fahrenheit, and in freezing temperatures as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. – Buy Now

Memori Brass Pen

Machined in Portland, Oregon from solid brass, the Memori Pen will stand up to everyday wear while slowly developing a handsome patina over time. Also, for your convenience, the pen is compatible with all G2 sized ink cartridges, which makes hunting down extra ink a lot easier. – $65

Inkless Metal Pen

Ink pens eventually run out of ink, that is unless they empty most of said ink inside your shirt pocket first. Neither conclusion is desirable. A better approach is to avoid ink altogether and opt instead for the Inkless Metal Pen. With a special alloy metal tip and smudge-free graphite, you’ll never have to worry about refilling ink or sharpening pencils ever again. – $30

True Utility Telescopic Keychain Pen

Measuring in at less than two inches, this keychain-friendly EDC pen expands to nearly the length of a standard-sized pen when the time comes to jot information down. And despite it’s durable stainless steel construction, it weighs less than an ounce which means you’ll forget you’re even carrying it until you need it. Included with the pen is 4 ink refills. – Buy Now

Karas Kustoms Bolt Pen

Functionality aside, you’ll likely want The Bolt Pen in your everyday carry kit just so you can show it off to your friends and coworkers. It’s beautiful brass body is machined in-house by Karas Kustoms and features a stainless steel pocket clip for easier carry, Parker ballpoint ink compatibility, and a clever bolt-action mechanism perfect for killing time during those boring staff meetings at work. – $65+

Zebra F-701

This stainless steel pen by Zebra has been a staple in EDC kits for many years. It features a minimalist all-metal design, a knurled grip, an integrated pocket clip, and a retractable tip. Buy it once and it will last for decades. – Buy Now

Fisher Space Bullet Space Pen

Originally designed by Paul Fisher for NASA for it’s ability to write in all conditions, the Fisher Bullet Space Pen writes upside down, under water, in zero gravity, and in temperatures ranging from -30 to 250 degrees fahrenheit. It’s all brass construction is finished in matte black, perfectly balanced, and fits easily in your pocket for seamless everyday carry. Available with or without a pocket clip. – Buy Now

Boker Plus Tactical Pen

This rugged pen by Boker Plus is a highly functional, lightweight aluminum tactical tool that is sure to compliment your everyday carry ensemble. It features a black anodized finish along with a checkered texture for a secure grip, and a stainless steel insert on the shaft end that serves as a self defense kuboton. – Buy Now

CRKT Tao Pen

The Tao Tactical Pen by Columbia River Knives and Tools was designed primarily for self defense in mind. Crafted from precision machined aluminum, its impact crown on the cap, the pen itself, and a pointed butt on the opposite end were all meant to ward off would-be attackers, while a NASA developed Fisher Space Pen tungsten carbide ball point and thixotropic ink cartridge writes at any angle, in freezing temperatures, boiling heat, and even underwater. – Buy Now

The Retrakt Pen

Another pen by Karas Kustoms, the Retrakt Pen, was designed to be the very last EDC pen you’ll ever carry. It’s machined in the USA from solid copper and features a stainless steel pocket clip, a convenient, all-metal click mechanism, and is compatible with both Pilot G2 and Parker ballpoint ink cartridges. – $55+

Zero Tolerance 0010TI Titanium Tactical Pen

The 0010TI, much like any Zero Tolerance knife on the market, is built like a tank and features a machined titanium construction with an integrated glass breaker tip for both breaking glass during life saving rescue attempts and for self defense maneuvers should it be your only weapon available. As reliable as titanium is for any tactical tool, where the 0010TI really shines is its ability to write—whenever and wherever thanks to a Rite in the Rain ink cartridge that works in the rain, cold, heat, or in upside down position. – Buy Now

Cold Steel Pocket Shark

Not quite a pen by normal standards, the Cold Steel Pocket Shark is an EDC-worthy instrument nonetheless. Its a permanent marker with a black grivory construction and walls that are four times thicker than typical markers, giving it a greater impact in self defense situations as well as the tactical charm we’re consistently looking for in an EDC pen. – Buy Now

Machine Era Pen No.2

Machine Era’s latest is the No. 2 Pen — an upgrade of their original model — that now features an integrated aluminum pocket clip for seamless carry in your pocket or shirt and a weighty construction machined from solid brass that will develop a handsome patina after repeated use. No moving parts, o-rings, or springs were used in the design of the No. 2 Pen, which means it will still be jotting down your notes when you’re ready to pass it down to your family’s next generation. – $60

Tactile Turn Shaker Pen

There’s more to the Shaker Pen than meets the eye, things that can only be appreciated by actually holding this pen in your hand and putting it to use. It’s perfectly-balanced, symmetrical body machined from raw aluminum and it’s smooth click mechanism will leave you wanting for nothing else. The stainless steel pocket clip is just a bonus. – $59

Boker Plus Tablet Pen

If you’re everyday carry includes an iPad, smartphone, or tablet, then the Boker Plus Tablet Pen may very well be your best option as an EDC pen. Along with the features typically found on a tactical pen — a lightweight aluminum body, Fisher Space Pen ink cartridge compatibility, an integrated pocket clip, and obvious self defense applications — the Boker Plus Tablet Pen sports an integrated stylus opposite of the writing end hidden below a screw cap that works seamlessly with most touch screen devices. – Buy Now

Boker Plus Bolt Action Pen

If you’re stuck in the office 12 hours a day, The Bolt Action Pen by Boker Plus may provide some mild entertainment for you while you sift through paperwork or sit through meetings. It features a unique bolt action mechanism for opening and closing the tip, and a clip for securing to your shirt or pocket. The body is constructed of anodized milled aluminum, giving it a smooth finish and durable exterior. – Buy Now